Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas sent a message to the campus community February 6:

Gov. Snyder’s budget message this week contains the best news for higher education in more than a decade. His proposal to add nearly $80 million to public university budgets marks a welcome reinvestment in our state’s college students. By making higher education a top budget priority, the governor’s message is clear: access and affordability are keys to a college degree, and retention of our graduates will sustain and enhance our state’s prosperity.

At Grand Valley State University, we can take particular pride in the governor’s acknowledgement of our high quality and return on the investment that our state and our students make. Grand Valley’s superior retention and graduation rates, our commitment to important programs in science, engineering, technology, mathematics and health, along with our efficiencies, translate into additional performance funding. A strong university helps provide predictability to our students and stability to the communities that host our campuses.

Of course, we are at the beginning of the budget process; the state Senate and House of Representatives will now consider the governor’s recommendation, deliberate, and produce a final result, probably in June. I encourage each of you to remain informed as debate commences. There are many other priorities in front of the Legislature and it is important that we do our part to keep higher education front and center among them.

Very respectfully,

Thomas J. Haas President, Grand Valley State University

Read the response from the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce here, and the Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce here.